Luxury villa with private pool on historical estate in northern Italy

OVERVIEW Bencontenta

Located only 20 km southeast of Padova, Bencontenta is a traditional Venetian farmhouse nestled on the estate of Frassanelle, one of the most prestigious aristocratic properties of the Veneto, home to a historic villa, a 19th-century english park, an 18-hole golf course and cultivated farmland. The large farmhouse sits within its own private garden with a pool and looks out onto the park of Frassanelle and the Euganean hills.

The farmhouse has been entirely restored, keeping its traditional characteristics all the while updating it to 21st-century standards and amenities. The airy interior has crisp white walls and comfortable living spaces with classy furnishings and open fireplaces. The modern kitchen opens onto the herb garden which guests can make use of for preparing their meals. These can be enjoyed in the inside dining room or in the typical outdoor covered loggia, adjacent to an outdoor living area.

The villa’s seven bedrooms are spread over its three floors, making it convenient for guests with mobility concerns. They are feature lovely wooden furniture, attractive fabric prints and newly fitted en-suite bathrooms, some with soaking tubs.
The huge pool is a definite highlight. It is bordered by a pool house and surrounded by sunbeds. Beyond this is a sprawling 6000 m2 garden. This has been carefully planted with a herb garden, roses, lilacs, iris and calendula as well as a variety of trees including poplars, walnuts, hazelnuts, figs, cherries and apples.

La Bencontenta has a charging point for electrical cars (no extra fees).

Amenities and services

Floorplan of the villa

Ground floor
Living room with open fireplace
Kitchen breakfast room
Dining room
2 double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms
1 extra WC
Large shady loggia for al-fresco meals

Poolhouse
1 double bedroom with en-suite bathroom

First floor
1 double bedroom with en-suite bathroom
1 twin bedroom with en-suite bathroom
1 large play room

Second floor
2 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms

Garden :

Pool 16 x 8 metres, fenced
Outdoor shower with hot and cold water
Herb garden and orchard
Barbecue
Ping-pong table
Car parking

ESTATE: Frassanelle

Country life in Venetia in search of history, harmony and beauty. Stay in luxuriously restored houses within the historical estate of Frassanelle, an undisclosed oasis of peace between Venice, Padua and Vicenza.

Frassanelle is one of the great Venetian properties. The 150 hectare estate consists of a Venetian Villa, a 19th century english park, a skillfully designed 18 hole golf course and cultivated farmland. All this 20 km south-west of Padua, within easy reach of the famous historic villas of the Veneto, many of them built by the great Italian architect Andrea Palladio, as also the Italian cities of Venice (50 km), Vicenza (23 km), Verona (90 km), Ferrara (80 km), Mantua (98 km), Asolo and the Lake district. Frassanelle reaveals its delights slowly and elegantly.

Leaving the bustling Venetian activities behind you, the drive leads you on a simple country road through fields which melt into the natural park of the Eugenean hills. You will soon discover the main villa of Frassanelle on top of one of the hills, seemingly shielding the elegantly structured farm buildings, the beautifully restored farmhouse Bencontenta and a wonderfully romantic 19th century garden folly reminiscent of a palladian temple.

The estate of Frassanelle has been in the hands of the Counts Papafava since the 13th century, well over 700 years.

From April to October every Thursday at 10am (except national holidays) the owners of Frassanelle will take you on a guided tour of the premises. They will give you some history of the Papafava dei Carraresi family, descendants of the Lords of Padua, some information on the flora and fauna found in the park. Highlight of the tour are the surprisingly large artificial grottoes built at the end of the 19th century under the main villa.

ACTIVITIES

• The great cultural wealth of the Veneto region and its diversity is one of the main interests of the journey.
• The Venetian Villas: More than 3,000 villas were built in the hinterland of Venice between the 15th and 19th century.  Some are open to the public.  The most famous are the Palladian villas such as Villa Barbaro at Maser, Villa Emo at Fanzolo and La Rotonda near Vincenza.  Do not miss the Villa Valmarana “Ai Nani” with frescoes by Tiepolo, Catajo castle and villa Barbarigo with its baroque garden and a maze of boxwood.
• Major cultural centres of northern Italy: The strategic position of Frassanelle make easy visits to Padua, Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Ferrara, Lake Garda, Este, Montagnana, Monselice or Arqua’ Petrarca. Each of these provincial towns offers a multitude of rewarding cultural visits.
• In Venice you will have the opportunity to visit any of the 84 churches present in the city, including of course the Basilica of St. Marco, which stands next to the Doge’s Palazzo, one of the main landmarks of Venice. You can also visit the islands, such as Murano, famous for its beautiful hand blown glass.
• 40 km from Venice, you will find Padua . If you had to choose one thing to see, it would be the Cappella degli Scrovegni, a chapel entirely painted with frescoes by Giotto in the 14^th century. This is considered the work which marks the beginning of the Renaissance. The main museum of Padua exposes the Emo Capodilista collection, given to the Municipality of Padua by the owners of La Montecchia. The Palazzo della Ragione (Palace of Reason), a surprising builing which rises above all the rest of the historical center of Padua exposes  another gift made by this family to the municipality, a sumptuous wooden horse.
• At Vicenza you will be dazzled by Palladio’s genius. The beauty of the Olympic Theatre, an embodiment of Andrea Palladio, the Palladian Basilica, another of his masterworks, or the Loggia del Capitano. The small streets of this compact city want to be explored on foot, which will bring an exciting reward at each 20 steps you take.
• The city of Verona contains many treasures: start with the Roman monuments, such as the Roman Arena. Garden lovers will want to visit the Giardino Giusti. The San Zeno church will stay with you for long. Every day the Piazza delle Erbe, a beautiful square in the center of town has a colourful market.
• Asolo is a small town, famous for its lace and silk weaving . It is also resplendent with monuments, such as the remains of an amphitheatre and an aqueduct, the Rocca (castle of the 12th early 13th century), or you can visit the Palazzo della Ragione which has now become the museum of the city. In the last century it was a privileged resort by artists and writers such as Hemingway and Browning and the famous Eleonora Duse.
• The town of Bassano del Grappa is located in the heart of Veneto at the foot of the Alps. The main productions of Bassano are white asparagus, ceramics, and of course grappa.  You must see the Cathedral (Duomo), the Castello Superiore (Upper Castle), or the Church of St. John the Baptist.
• The Euganean Hills (protected since 1989) is located south of Padua. There are many small towns to visit such as Este, Montagnana, Monselice and Arqua ‘Petrarca.  And let yourself be tempted by small local trattorias!
• The thermal baths of Abano: Only 12 km from Frassanelle is the town of Abano Terme, a spa where mineral-rich waters emerge at a temperature of 70°C to 80°C. We recommend a day at the spas of one of the luxurious hotels.

RATES

GUEST REVIEWS, Bencontenta, Frassanelle

LOCATION

The estate Frassanelle lies 20 km to the south-east of Padua, within easy reach of the famous historic villas of the Veneto, many of them built by the great Italian architect Andrea Palladio, as also the Italian cities of Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Ferrara, Mantua, Asolo and the Lake district.